Jellicle's Creed
Frozen Memories
Seqeunce 6
Memory 1: Trade Deal
22 December 2051
Marketplace Assassin Den
Study
An hour before breakfast
Snowfeather paced in the study, three people were with her, her adopted son, and both ofher daughters. How could she bring her foot down on their work, when they did it so perfectly ? The two girls stood, hoods down, in their mothers study, Mark near the door. Snowfeather paced before finally stopping, with a grunt of a sigh she spoke. "I thought I told you not to follow us to here, it is too dangerous!"
"Yes Mother, you did say just that." Serena said calmly. "But it was not our choice to come here, yes we wanted to come here to be with you and Mark again, but we were given no other options when our contracts in Cairo were completed"
"No other choice ?" Snowfeather repeated, turning to her children, a confused look on her face. "Explain." She gave her girls a hard look.
"Mentor Alaion said that our contracts were done, we were to come to Arendelle on the first ship north" Serenity replied softly, she never spoke sternly with her mother nor did she ever raise her voice to begin with. She always spoke in soft tones
"Alaion the fool. He is no mentor! But a cutpurse!" Snowfeather wasn't happy."Leaving Cairo was possibly the worst thing you two could have done. Is it free completely of templar influence ? Did you secure the holdings the Brotherhood has there ?"
"Yes, after our last contract we shipped out, to here. We came on the last ship, two days ago, a shame we did not get here three days ago, we would have much liked to see Mark with Elsa and their first kiss" Serenity said softly in reply.
Snowfeather had to calm herself, yes, there was that. She smiled and nodded. "Yes, what would have been the odds of that ? The Queen of Arendelle in the arms of an Assassin." Snowfeather had to give it to Mark, he knew how to make a proper impression. "I think it makes up for making her uncomfortable last year when you first met her too" She said
Serena cast a look to her brother, "You made Elsa uncomfortable ? How ? As far aswe know, any girl in Cairo and America would fall for you within a heartbeat! How did you make Elsa nervous ?"
Mark was silent for a majority of the conversation; and when the fact that he had made Elsa uncomfortable when they'd first met he blinked and bit his bottom lip. He would have hoped that was unnoticed...Drat. Quick Mark think of something... He stood there for a good minute with the eyes of his adopted family staring at him. "I...Um... The woman's drop-dead gorgeous...can't help it if I stare..." He crossed his arms and looked away like an upset child.
"Pretty sure my beard hadn't fully developed then either...or my hair...or...um...Don't slug me again, Snow..." he said, glancing to Snowfeather.
Serenity giggled softly as Mark bit his lip "You're doing it again, he's doing it again. See, Serena! I told you he'd do it again!" Somehow these two had a bet going, "Biting his lip when you look at him!" Yeah they had a bet going.
"I'll pay you later sis" Serena mumbled before her eyes went to her mother, before Serenity then asked
"So its true you had nothing to do with Momma getting a dip in the fjord on arrival?" OK, how the fuck did they know that ?! Snowfeather at that question raised a confused eyebrow, what were her girls on about ? Amazingly, both she and Serena missed the spark in Serenitys eyes
The biting of the lip soon turned into a frown. "Me? Why I'd never have something as horrendous as having our dear mother thrown into the fjord!" He said in an over-dramatic way; which was a long way of saying "Yep; my idea." His eyes traveled to his adopted mother; trying to read her to see whether or not he should start running.
"Well, we know now that one of us cant swim without causing quite a ruckus... OW HEY! SERENA! THAT HURT!" It was one of the few times Serenity's voice got several octaves higher then normal, almost full blown claws on blackboard, to the point wherein even Snowfeather's ears were flat to her skull. Serenity held her cheek where it was sure to bruise as her sister slugged her dead on without warning whatsoever. Just as fast as their mother when she slugged Mark in the stomach
Serena tried to remain calm as she explained what happened on their arrival, she too had taken a dip in the drink, and Serenity had sworn it was not her doing either. and it actually kinda was and kinda wasn't at the same time. yes it was her idea, but she never carried it out.. Apparently the ship turned and Serena didn't go with it. Sometimes you gotta hold onto the prow
"Thankfully we managed to grab her with a trailing line before she fell behind at Blackrock Point" Serenity explained. She astill had the sparkle in her eye though, one that matched Mark's own. But Snowfeather couldn't figure it out one bit.
As his sister's voice rose a few octaves Mark zoned out; his ears ringing and his eyes foggy. Suddenly his entire body locked up in a T-posed state and began to float upwards, as he let out a choking, gagging-like sound from his throat, his eyes glowing fiercely as his armor glowed just as fiercely.
His vision blacked out for a good second before he could see again. What he was seeing was simple: A cell similar to what Elsa described in her dream, a woman tending to a sick, winged child, but there was a new development: A man. A man in a black overcoat that covered his entire body until his shins; which were also dressed in black heavy slacks and black boots.
"So this is the child." The voice was booming, yet extremely gentle. "Pathetic." He faded through the bars as he stepped forward, reaching forward to grab the child. Elsa's mother made a move to stop him, butbefore she could, there was a scream; tendrils emerged and restrained Elsa's mother as the scream was silenced by the man gripping the child's neck harshly; and lifting her up.
"You are the spawn of my great enemy...call her here. Now!" He snarled; his voice echoed by a million screams; his eyes glowing crimson. After a few seconds he growled as if he were a feral beast and he flung the child to the ground, the Darkness in the room falling upon his form, allowing him to vanish with out a trace.
The vision then faded, and with it the glow from his eyes and armor vanished as well; and he was rather uncermoniously dropped to the ground; landing on his hands and knees as he bagan to cough up a lung; cold sweat running down his body as his armor vanished immediately, and his body shook like a leaf; a look of terror in his eyes as he looked around after falling onto his side and curling up into a ball in a vain effort to try and get warm. His hair had fallen apart as well; hanging everywhere it wanted instead of being kept back neatly by the ribbon. In fact, the ribbon had melted. Tears streamed from Mark's eyes as he occasionally let out a squeak or quick yipe of pain.
Then fast as lightning he got to his feet and turned, slamming his fist into the wall; the wall denting and cracking outwards from his fist as he did so. After the punch he fell back to his knees; no longer... horrified and shaking; but weak as he fell once more onto his side before rolling onto his back; breathing hard and deep.
"What... what the fuck..." was all he could wheeze out.
When Marks armor appeared in brilliant brozen light only Serenity could actually see his expression thanks to her own feline gifts. It did not take long however before she turned away at the brightness. Snowfeather and Serena failed to see what was happening and were momentarily blinded until a moment or so after the brillience went away. Serenity stared at her brother's action. Had he seen something ? She'd never seen him that freaked out before, and then going from freaked out to somewhat homicidal maniac that the Templars feared when he struck the wall so har he cracked the cement and rock.
Only thing Snowfeather noticed was that the ribbon was gone. But she knew Elsa could make another one. "Mark ?" Snowfeather asked, gently, which was odd even for her, nudging him with her bare clawed foot. "Are you alright ? You look like you have seen a ghost, or worse." The last time she had seen Mark with tear streaks on his face was when he was a child and she had to care for him a for a week.
Serena crouched down to the remains of a small pile of ice. What had been the ribbon in her brothers hair. She poked at it, it sparked in response before turning to dust. As if it was melted on command, which it was, as the last reaches of Elsa's magic was recalled from the ribbon to her own hands again ? Of course it wouldn't be seen until breakfast in twenty or so minutes.
Snowfeather could see her son was distressed, "a moment" she said giving a look to her girls before going into the study closet, going through a folder she found what she sought. Going back to the others she held out a small mission folder "Mark, I want you to do one thing in order to clear your head, you're in no fit state to see Elsa any time soon. So, until the tasks in this folder are completed at the desired location; you are not to see Elsa in any manner, should she come here looking for you, I will merely say you are indeposed and will see her as soon as you are able, aha, dont say no. This will clear your head." iI hope/i Normally going on a local contract away from everyone helped Mark refocus. But Snowfeather could itell/i that Mark both wanted to see Elsa, but also did not want to go near her because of something that had occured "Understood... son ?" Snowfeather asked.
Serena gave a look to her sister and mother, and also a sympathetic look to her brother before heading to the kitchen to get something to eat
"I'm fine..." He lied; looking to Snowfeather as he shook once before rolling to his stomach, where he then helped himself up to his feet, opening and closing his hand that had slammed into the wall; the knuckles popping themselves back into place and going back to normal. His hand wasn't broken; but it sure would be sore later. Mark wiped his hands on his cloak before taking the mission folder from Snowfeather; his eyes beginning to relax as he scanned it. Clear out a Templar Hideaway? No problem. The location...Blackrock Point. Easy enough to get to. There were other tasks as well; set alight the flame; capture the captain alive for interrogation; and one last one: Meditate. He blinked a few times at that one; but it vanished before could verify it was there; his mind wasn't done playing tricks on him yet it seemed. But Meditating sounded...great. He'd light the flame, then meditate for the remainder of the day on what he'd seen.
He sighed softly before nodding to Snowfeather. "Yes...I understand, mother." he said softly before taking a deep breath and letting it out. With that he raised his hood and his armor and sword appeared on his body once more. He then lowered his hood now that he was sure that his armor wouldn't get it caught when he needed it. he then grabbed his bangs and, using his Sword, cut them before discarding them into his pocket; having the feeling that he would need them later. He put away his sword and rolled his fingers; opening and closing his fingers and wave-like pattern, the claws of his gauntlets gleaming in the light. His eyes flashed bronze for a second before he shook his head and looked up at Snowfeather, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Make sure Elsa's happy while I'm gone...tell her...something; don't let her worry about me." he said shakily to all three of them before raising his hood and leaving the room.
"I can tell her" Serenity said softly, somehow she felt it was her fault what just had happened to her brother. But then again, the way her own mother reacted to her raising her voice... yeah, something happened and it wasn't exactly her own fault. In their own dialect she then asked i"Anything important you want her to know ? Or should I simply say you were given a contract and could not back out ?"/i Hey, when their own iMother/i gave them contracts there was no way in hell they could back out from them. Serenity smiled and opened the door for her brother and watched him disappear into the crowded streets of Arendelle. Try as she might, she still couldn't figure out how he disappeared into a crowd so easily, so quickly.
22 December 2051
Weselton
Duke of Weselton manor
Just after breakfast
"This is unacceptable! And you know it!" A stack of papers slapped the coffee table as the Duke stood from the sofa and started pacing, The news from the lack of imports, and the ability to export to Arendelle, and from there the rest of the world, was just unacceptable to the man. Taking off his toupe he rubbed his bald head before slapping it back on and pacing once again. "Seven days to wait on word from Arendelle in terms of a possible trade agreement once again reached. Why did I agree to it ?" Hans smirked and took a sip of his wine, his wife stood in the doorway, her bare, scarred arms crossed, black eyes glowering at those in the room, exzecept her husband of course, Princess Sonya of Southton had married Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, which was commonly known as Denmark at that point.
The other two in the room aside from the three humans were a young woman and young man, they looked like twins, acted like twins, and quite possibly had the love/hate relationship of twins, the fact they constantly bickered was one thing that tipped off the Princess. But what the two were, were really part of a clutch of five dragon hatchlings. Guests along with a more powerful guest it seemed. In fact compared to the Princess, these two twins, out of five, were in fact older then her in experience alone. But otherwise they acted like three year olds fighting over dinner. "Will you relax ?" Sonya said to the Duke, her tone making it clear, she had yet to eat and was already in a bad mood. "Its just a trade agreement, waiting is unwanted yes, but... nesseccary. Its just a matter of inconvient timing. That's all"
"You will get your trade, Duke. Don't you worry about that." someone entered the room from seemingly no where; the darkness, if anything. It was the well dressed man from the Party who had adressed the Duke before approaching Arendelle's courtyard. The military General with the blood red details. He ignored the bickering young ones as he approached; hands behind his back. "The queen of Arendelle is a kind woman; however she is also very perceptive. No doubt she knows exactly what is going on in your ... Kingdom." He said the last word with a bit of distaste; which made the two young ones snicker and whisper amongst themselves; which almost immediately made them start bickering again.
And bicker the two did! "yeah sure" Said the male, a smirk on his face "Like this place is a kingdom!"
"Ha! Kingdom ? More like what's left of one! Hey watch it!" The female said as her brother pretty much clamped a hand over her mouth
"Besides, if you guys can afford soldiers like the bums you had a few years ago, OW! HEY NO BITING!" the male wrenched his hand away as his sister looked quite smug before he was about to slug her before he calmed down, "I think you guys could have a right track of a trade deal."
"Whats all the fuss about this trade deal anyhow ?" For the female it was more mumbo jumbo that she couldn't follow before her head started swimming.
The Duke spluttered at the question before turning on the man in red and black, the general appearing fellow. "What do you know about that ?!" He had no idea exactly what he was asking either, To calm himself he then asked "So, how are our guests this evening ?" The question was to Sonya, who was entrusted the 'care' of certain geusts in the dungeon. One of them a freakish thing, a child, cared for by a woman the Duke would rather forget about completely.
The room went black.
There was a snarl before light returned; and another man had appeared, the man from Mark's vision, grabbing both of the children by the hair while the Black-Suited General knelt before him. There was a hiss before he rather uncermoniously tossed the children back into their seats. Their father; one could assume.
"My Lord...We were not expecting you so ea-"
"Silence." the man said; voice booming, and shaking the walls with how deep it was. He turned to face the Duke; blood red eyes glaring at him. "The ones you call your guests are fine; but if you wish to continue to have them; feed them. Starving them will only kill them; and you will loose your leverage." He said.
"You will need the proper guards now that Arendelle is taking itself back. My Kingdom can provide you with ...guards. For your pitiful excuse for a fortress. Guards beyond imagination; ones that strike terror into those who see them. Ones that will answer to you and you alone." He began to extend a deformed, scaled, clawed hand covered in ancient scars towards the Duke. "What say you, Duke of Weselton?" He growled out with a smirk.
It was now that the shadows in the room began to sway back and forth as if in a trance. "You will decide now; or be forever open to annihilation."
The two twins stopped their bickering at the snarl, "Well, there ya go Sis, got Papa all... OW!" what he was trying to say was 'got Papa all mad again, nice going stupid' but when he saw Taris also get grabbed by the hair just as he was and rather tossed to their seats, the sofa Taris landed on flipped backwards ontop of her. It made the boy snicker, ah yes, the runt geting the brunt of the punishment, such was their family to begin with.
"Arendelle does not know that I have them." Sonya replied calmly, the smug look on her face replaced by one of a raised eyebrow and a smirk towards her husbands reaction to the sudden blackness and wondering why his shirt was wet when he missed his mouth and the wine poured out. "At least not yet." For one, Sonya respected the man in black, and for another, she admired him greatly. Whereas her husband thought her insane to trust such a creature. Though one thing always confused her, she never knew this mans name.
The Duke however was thoughtful as Sonya spoke, the man was right, starve their guests and they had a problem, Iduna was his only leverage against Arendelle, capturing her and replacing her body on that ship so long ago was perfect! "I agree, feed them, care for them, whatever you have to do, do it." He went whjite as a sheet however just thinking of the child, the freaky winged little girl no older then about ten or so years of age. That was what was in that weird frozen block of rock his men had found a decade and a half before while fishing
"The dungeon is hardly the place for a former queen, for a freak of nature we know nothing about, sure its perfect with regular set feedings, but for a former queen with the same setup, no" Hans said thoughtfully
"Then what do you suggest dear ?" Sonya asked her husband
"Simple, put them both where people wont notice or care, in this case the dungeon is out of the question, put them in a guest room at the palace at home ? They can be cared for, and kept watched over. besides, we ship them there tonight, they will be there by dawn, and nobody will even know they arrived there or even departed from here during the night." Hans said Sonya nodded, her husbands plan made sense.
The Duke turned to the man in black, "These... guards... they will take orders from me ?" After all this was his place. And he was the Templar Grand Master of the Northern Sceptre as well.
The man in black nodded to the Duke's question; ignoring all other words. His lip twitched, the black slits that formed his pupils narrowing as he stared at the Templar Grand Master. "Do you accept?' He asked once more. His scared, clawed, scaled hand twitched, but remained out to shake. The General remained kneeling behind the man in black, absolutely still, awaiting his Master's command.
The Duke smiled, "Yes, I accept" He then shook the mans hand firmly. he paid no attention to the General on one knee, but the two twins seemed to calm down a lot more then he had expected. Why were those two there to begin with anyhow ?
Sonya nodded, "If I am not needed, I shall see that our gusts are made ready for transport." She took a small bow towards her frenemy, the Duke and left the room. Better him dealing with her then those she admired. truly. It was not every day when a Shadow makes a deal with a mortal, And for what ? To get back at a country and kingdom for ousting one so long ago. It did not make much sense to Sonya, but when the woman had struck the deal, all Sonya wanted was the money that was sure to come from it; who cared that she was a Princess, there was only so much money one could get in that, but, holding a former queen... yes, the ransom from that little gift, was indeed well worth the trouble
But it was as she left when a messenger scrambled into the room, he looked... scared was not the right word, nor was freaked out, more like completely shitless about what news he had to tell. Sonya looked to the clock and noted the time, it was nearly noon, past the morning tea. Ah fuck, she missed morning tea!
The man looked a complete wreck, after all he had run, and yet the info he did not want to give, well, he was freaked out, beyond freaked out. Hans gave a odd look to the man, "What hole in the wall did you fall out of ?" He said out of the blue. Waving off his hand he said "No matter, speak, what brings you here in such a hurry, and... not exactly presentible" Hans heard his wife give a soft giggle at the mans manner of dress, he looked as if he'd been through a weedwacker marathon. Not excactly presentible normally meant 'tell your messege while making sure your last will and testament were ready',
The messenger took a moment to gather his breath before speaking. "Blackrock point...being...mercilessly attacked...barely any left..." he coughed. "It's...the one...the one they call The Scorpion." At those last two words the man in black let out a vicious Snarl and wheeled around; back-handing the messenger across the face towards the wall; from which Tendrils jutted out like whips.
"You dare say that name around me; insolent stain!" He growled like a feral animal. He turned towards the Duke and with a twitching lip, forced a smile. "Allow me to introduce your new guards." He snapped his scaled fingers, and materializing beind him was a massive Kobold with huge horns and bulging muscles. Thick skin and fur kept it insulated and hardy; this beast was certainly a sight to behold.
Of the two smaller formerly bickering twins looking twosome, the female finally set her chair upright just as the massive Kobold appeared, and yet even though she wanted to scream out in joy at the sight of the Kobold, her favorite of her fathers kobolds, she had named him Fluffy when she was younger, the name sadly stuck. She instead stared mouth agape as a ghostly form of a wolf formed behind Fluffy, it was a dead creature yes, but it was breathing and it was boney and it was creepy as all fuck. "Uh... Papa... I know you brought Fluffy along but,,,, where'd the wolf ... thing... whatever the fuck it is, come from ?"
The Duke smiled seeing the Kobold, but at Taris' words another messenger, this one a household staffer, entered, "Yes Miguel ?"
"Your other guest is here sir, shall I send her in ?" The butler replied calmly, not the least bit scared at the sight of the wolf nor kobold of the screams of a nearby man held against the wall by tendrils of shadows. Either he was braindead, or just used to it with the Wolf Queen around all the time
"Yes, please do, her ah... one of her pets are already in here I dont see why she should wait." the Duke replied, he'd been waiting for this moment for a long time. True he did not like sorcery, yet. This woman was helpful indeed.
"Yes sir" The butler gave a small bow and then stepped aside, with a nod to someone in the hall while holding the door open. A woman dressed in rotting black, yet clearly ancient Arendelle clothing, stepped into the room. she looked no older then the Duke, yet she was old, she was very old. And she was also very dead. This was Ingrid the First, the third Queen of Arendelle, ousted by her own daughter ages into the past, and sealed within a vault, the same vault that the Scorpion was attacking. Though now she was known simply by her long forgotten moniker of, The Wolf Queen. She had a smile on her ghastly face as she spied her allies in the room. Two more ghostly undead wolves formed in the large study. Prompting Hans to sit up straighter as one gave him a dirty look.
Ingrid smiled, the clearly long dead woman, her nose was missing as she spoke, she seemed either bored, or overjoyed "You can relax young Draco" her voice was dead sounding, which it was, just dead and long gone, gravel like, rotted out, you name it. Her tone was to the man in black, yet she had a smile on her face when she saw him. "How long has it been ? A few hundred years ?" The Wolf Queen herself had lost track of time within that vault. "There is nothing to fear here now is there ?"
Draco huffed, a small growl really, at the Wolf Queen's comment to him. "The Stench of fear is not from me; witch." he turned to face her fully. "Time has...treated you well I see." He said calmly, looking at her, eyes glowing as he lifted a hand towards Ingrid's face, his hand leaking a black mist as he spoke again. "Dout garris zklaen qe ghergo tenamalo." the words echoed in the room; Ancient Draconian which meant "Your appearance must be young again"
Very briefly everyone in the room saw in the place of what should be a very dead and long gone woman, a beautiful young white haired woman, her ice clear green, yet, something about her rang true as she raised a hand to his, gently lowering it as she shook her head. It was not yet time.
Draco nodded, closing his hand before snapping his fingers once more; the Kobold in the room taking a few steps back. "Duke...bring in your best, most trusted guards; the rest are going to be ...replaced in about ten seconds." he looked back at the Duke; eyes flashing red.
"A moment if you will child. Why not work with humans for once rather then slaying them ?" Ingrid asked calmly as she went to the window and looked out on the massive yard, there were soldiers training for battle, supplies being moved and stored. "These men earn a living here, let us work along side them, My wolves, your kobolds, his men. The three armies can overrun Arendelle, and I can once more rule it!" Once again it was a power struggle, the Duke merely wanted to get trade going again "Besides, these men are exactly what we need to finish the job." She had turned towards a table,k showing a massive map, the wall behind it had a mark she had never seen but oddly felt comfortable with. "Keep the men alive. We will work together."
Though she knew that soon one of them was going to die. Soon. Maybe two of them... But who that would be, none knew
Draco huffed but nodded, letting out a small snarl; an order to withdraw for the moment to his Kobolds. "You may rule it; but I get what is hidden in the vaults of that cursed Silver." he growled; speaking of the Wolfe Vaults. With them he could supply his Kobold Armies with tools and weapons so that he could begin a conquest of the world and be damn near unstopable. He looked to Ingrid with an unyielding look; he wasn't asking.
"You may have what is in that vault. My only worry is to show my offspring that live in the castle that I am still very much queen" Ingrid replied, her ghastly features forming and deforming, the necromatical energies and sickly grey white smoke that enveloped her rather beautiful body made her look all the more... dead. "Besides, Once the kingdom is mine, you have freedom to do as you wish with what you want from it." As long as their interests did not conflict. Ingrid wanted Arendelle back under her control again. The way it should have been ages ago
It was then that Hans interjected "I hate to break up the reunion, but what exactly is the plan here ?" He wanted to be king of Arendelle, not let some undead woman take over. Ingrid cast her gaze towards the man. "I mean I am sure I can kidnap their current queen and keep her out of the way for you, but it will only last a few days, four at the most. Before her magic kicks in and she gets free and back in control, or worse, her... bodyguard, shows up, or those other men fall in on the plan..."
"Other men ?" The Duke spoke up confused. He had no idea of the CIA already in Arendelle and searching for someone.
"An outside influence, nothing we should be concerned with, yet they easily took her from the cabin below the Northern Mountains" Hans replied calmly
"An outside influence is none of my concern. Only taking back what is mine from those who turned against me so long ago" It was actually pretty nice to get what she wanted back. Yet for the Wolf Queen, it was not going to be an easy road what so ever. There was no history of her anywhere in Arendelle aside from what Blackmane managed to find, Elena had it all purged or hidden away. "What of your guests ?" Ingrid then asked thoughtfully to Hans. Her offspring, in his... care... How had they changed in her absence ?
"As far as I am aware, she is alive and according to my wife, quite well, we had a rather ingenius plan of her capture to be sure ten years ago" Hans was the genius behind the plan, but it was the Dukes men that put it into action, acting as pirates was one thing, fooling them into thinking the woman they killed and then set adrift was truly Idun worked better then expected. the body so decomposed by saltwater and the clothing but rags as well after the wreck. Only a DNA test could prove otherwise. "We are moving them to my kingdom tonight, for safety. Leverage kept elsewhere, if the queen found out her mother was here, she'd come for her, but if she is not here, and she still finds out her mother lives but is a prisoner, she wont find her here"
A DNA test that was going to happen very soon in fact.
Draco's eyebrows raised at the mention of Hans' plan, and turned to face the man, a devilish smirk on his face; pointed teeth visible. "A plan, you say? Do tell, dear child; The Shadows quake in ..." he took a long, unsettling breath inwards through his nose as the shadows in the room indeed quaked. "... anticipation." he smirked again and lowered his chin to look down at the boy before him. Aside from Ingrid; he was the oldest being in the room. Ingrid only beating him by a week in age.
Hans smiled, "I thought you'd never ask, of course, it was very far fetched..." Hans went on to explain how the plan was laid out, it was nearly dinner when he finished explaining it...
Blackrock Point
Approximately 40 minutes outside of Greensky District
one hour from the Arendelle Castle
At that same moment, early afternoon
There were many undead, and some living within the ancient tomb of a maze known as Blackrock Point, several spectres, a few necromatic undead wolves. And worse, undead soldiers originally loyal to the death and beyond to the person who once ruled the undead sealed within the tomb. And yet the seal of Blackrock Point was broken, and here it was seen why as Templars had been there, and in a few areas had rebuilt some broken walls against unwanted horrors of the underworld and undeath. Yet the skeletal remains of Men were clearly visible. And almost all of them were still alive. Providing Mark with perfect oppertunity to keep his blade sharp, and his wits sharper as he moved deeper into the seemingly never ending maze.
Mark moved with ease through many of those who stood in his path, his blade slicing them to ribbons, or the claws of his gauntlet maiming them so badly that they would bleed out and die before they could call for help. He came upon a split in the path, and he marked it with a scratch along the wall, leaving his five claw-marks against the rock using the duradaeden of his gauntlet's fingers. Mark was then tackled by a Skeletal foe, who knocked the man a few feet back before he grabbed ahold of its spine, and with a shove broke all of the bones apart against the wall. His hood had no damage, and of course neither did his armor nor blade; as the very metal they were made of was able to stand the test of time in the form of Peices of Eden.
Realligning himself with the claw-mark he'd made, he closed his eyes and focused his senses before opening them, his Eagle-Vision showing him everything. Enemies he'd left to slay; their paths, where each path of the maze led, and how dangerous each path was. He saw it all; and his mind, focused, took it all in without question. He flicked his blade out, the blood flying from its edge as he ran down towards the right end of the labrynth.
There were seven Templars, all of them armed with unique weapons provided by the dead. Ancient swords. As their attacker neared one of them had fled with the notice. only to get slain shortly after sending it. At least the notice was sent, the Queen well on her way to safety by then. Nobody knew what to expect however in the ancient cavern city that was home to the countless Dead. As Mark entered the last cavern of the massive unending maze he found himself on a narrow bridge without rails, water on both sides, though the bottom was dark and unseen. There were triggers in the floor, flames, arrows, all sorts of items ready to stab or burn anything that set foot wrong.
It was more then just a puzzle, it was a deathtrap for anything living within, or without.
Yet from across the vast cavern stood several Men, all of them Templars, but what stood between the Men and Mark, were many spectres and undead Wolves. What was it with this place and wolves ? It was as if the entire maze of a burial tomb was infested with undead wolves! yes there were undead men in there too, but the majroity of creatures were wolves! This truly was the Wolf Queens lair! And this was where her army waited. All the Dead waited here for him it seemed, at least all those on the narrow bridge to the courtyard of the necropolis Mark found himself in. These were the best of the Dead under the Wolf Queen. Magically enhanced dead men were one thing, ancient magically enhanced deadmen where an different thing entirely!
Mark looked around the room, blood dripping from his sword as he held it in his right hand; left hand ready to strike and claw any who came near, as well as deploy his hidden blade if necessary. He pointed the tip of his blade towards those who opposed him and spoke loudly, his voice echoing in the chamber. "Come from your hiding place! Stop your cowering behind your traps and your enchantments! Come and fight!" He called to them.
But they did not care; only the undead wovles did; and those he did away with with a flick of his blade. He grit his teeth. Suddenly a word came to his mind, a word in a language he did not speak, but did know, in a sense. "Wiap" was the word. And with it fresh in his mind Mark bounded over the pressureplates and traps with one leap, landing on a safe-spot in the middle, and then bounding once more to the other side where his foes stand waiting. He landed with a crack of the ground beneath him.
The word? It meant "Fly".
When Mark landed on the courtyard side of the narrow bridge howls broke through the cavern as the Templars readied themselves. But seeing the stance that Mark took made them slightly nervous, at least for the mortal Men. The undead cared much less and swarmed the lone man. A lone man who was foolish to try and attack that place, the home of their Queen. The Wolf Queen's ancient underground palace was in a word, fuckin' HUGE, it overlooked a vast chasm that the water poured into in a waterfall and across that chasm was a vast network of cave windows and what looked like stairs leading nowhere. The dead swarmed the courtyard. dozens of them crowded around and cut Mark off from the only way of escape as the Templars stood ready, their swords drawn, one or two havaing pistols drawn and aimed.
The leader of the Templars smirked. Yet, while smug he spoke "You were brave boy. But foolish to come here. The one you seek, she is not here. If you want to survive, you can easily just walk away." But the Templar knew that Assassins did not just walk away when their target was gone, they took out every Templar on the block! But this Assassin was different, his armor was unlike anything they had ever seen before. And that made all but the leader of the Templars nervous, yet the Dead did not care
Drawing his sword, a truly massive weapon yet clearly ancient, off his back, the Templar Captain, an old friend of a certain Templar that Elsa had slain not too long ago, a year or so before actually. Commander Illitain. the former Captain of the Royal Guard, slain by Elsa after the return of Matthew. "I see the warning went unheeded. It matters little. make your choice boy!"
The undead were dispatched with a single spin of Mark's body, his claws and sword tearing them apart as if they were merely paper. As they fell around him, he stopped and pointed his blade at the Templar Captain. "My target is you, as far as I am concerned!" Mark called out calmly. After everything he'd done today he wasn't tired in the slightest. His armor flashed brightly in the presence of that ancient blade. "Come! Let us see the true power of a Templar Captain!" Mark challenged, going into his trademark stance: Feet wide, knees bent. Sword hand with the back leg, blade horizontal with the tip facing the enemy and his free and out in challenge.
The claws of Mark's gauntlet gleamed and he turned his arm, making the classic "come-hither" motion with his fingers similar to the way they do it in those old Kung-Fu movies.
A Smirk splayed across Mark's face.
the Templar sighed, well, he tried. "Get him!" He growled, the Six others ran at Mark, first in pairs, then as a group. Wear him down, get the armor off, anything really so they could take a shot, or at least tire him so their boss could finish him. Sadly they did not fare well if at all. One of them had his gun cut apart, the other had his whole gun arm chopped off, the shot rang out, nailing another Templar dead between the eyes. Three down, four to go
The last three backed off slightly, One took a sword and ran at Mark, he held his ground well, but he too soon fell with a solid kick, sending him over the side screaming to his death hundreds of meters below, the last two traded looks and then went to either side of Mark, their swords working in tandem but Mark had better skill. two against one hpowever was not to last as the Templar Leader joined the last two. the massive sword just barely catching one of his own men in his battlefrienzy, unfortunately for that Templar he took a wrong step and jammed his own sword into his fellow before getting knocked off the side.
Now it was one on one. This foe however had skill, and his blade was indeed strong, it was not iduradaeden/i yet it was Ancient, possibly made with Precoursor technology, like Marks armor. At some point the man was going to have to give. And soon enougth he did just that, a wrong move was made, providing Mark with the perfect unlooked for opening
As soon as the opening was there, Mark took it, stepping in and raking the man's chest with his iduradaeden/i claws before kicking out his knee; the crunch of his bone echoing in the chamber. The Templar captain wouldn't be dead, but he wouldn't be able to move, either. Mark sheathed his own sword and picked up the one the Templar was using, keeping a heavy foot on the Captain's neck to keep him still while he inspected the blade. They were right next to the edge.
After a minute Mark snarled and snapped the blade over his knee; using the sheer hardness of the blade against it when coupled with his iDuradaeden/i armor. He tossed the halves of the blade off the edge; he didn't care for them, and they reeked of... ancient dark magic. How Mark knew this was strange even to him; for now. But then he knelt beside the Captain, and lowered his hood; letting the Captain have a good look at his face.
Mark's eyes, whilst blazing bronze, were different than normal; their pupils vertical slits; similar to those of a reptile of some sort.
"Now then; you're going to tell me the quickest way out of here, give me the key to your tower, and then your life." Mark said, his claws lightly scratching under the man's chin.
The Templar, though dying, in that time between times, smirked. Choking on his own blood after triggering a suicide pill when his knee was broken, "After eaons of ages and years... " The man choked and choughed, "Keys become useless. When the dead... keep watch for their Queen" The man coughed again, a smile on his face as he looked in the direction of the broken coffin that once housed Ingrid the First, the Wolf Queen of Arendelle, Laughing then choking the man gargled out. "You're too late... She's free..." The man choked then as life left him
But it left one question.
She ?
Mark scoffed, and with a blink his eyes returned to normal, and his armor vanished with a flash. He searched the Templar; found most of what he'd expect: some money, a family picture, a personal invitation from one of the courtesans, and...something else. Plans for weapons. Plans so old they felt as if they'd fall apart if they touched fresh air. He stood and looked to the opened sarcophagus, walking over to it silently. Summoning his signiture gauntlet, he raked the side of it. Normally he would never do something like that to any tomb or burial chamber; but something compelled him. An inner rage and hatred he could not contain.
Remembering Snowfeather's words, though, he used Eagle Vision to find his way out.
Arendelle
The Memorial Stones
Just outside the Greensky District
Twenty minutes later
It was midafternoon to near dinner, but the sky was clear and the thin coating of snow on the ground made the air slightly crisp yet it never bothered anyone in Arendelle as long as it happened in Wintertime, the world had changed and lately Elsa had used her magic to make it snow just enough to cover the ground in a pretty whiteness, but nothing like on her Coronation seven years before. The two Stones overlooked the kingdom in all its glory. It was sad that Elsa was not there when the stones were first placed. But she was a wreck at the time but since learning to control her magic, the stones were visted once a week and kept clean and well tended.
the stone on the left had the Kings name written in Arendelle's Kudzul runes, while the Queen was more flowery almost a mixture of Arabic and Runic; almost as if a elf had written the Queens name on the memorial stone in question, whereas the King had more hard edged lettering, the Queens was softer, more freeflowing and prettier, and both had flowers placed at their stones. Crocus flowers at that. but the snow did not appear disturbed whatsoever
Mark stood in front of the stones, wearing no armor. He lowered his hood and walked before each stone, lightly dragging his hand across the names before sighing. He then took off his coat and folded it neatly; setting it beside him as he sat down, criss-crossing his legs and letting his hands rest on his knees. He closed his eyes; and mediated. He let out a long, slow, monotonous hum with each breath; using the meaningless noise to clear his head of all thoughts; and to let whatever he was supposed to find, find him.
That was the thing about meditation; you don't find what you want, it finds you; and sometimes, you may not like what you find.
The world Dropped away then, and Mark was surrounded by white fire. A male figure stood behind Mark's own standing figure in this vision. Neither moved, but the one standing behind Mark spoke calmly, and slowly.
"You are learning your destiny. Who you are...What you are." he said calmly. "My reincarnation in this world; waiting for my beloved to awaken herself. You've no idea how hard it is to get into my... your... our head." the man said tapping his own skull as he spoke, a soft gentle smile on his face
"Who are you?" Mark asked.
"It is not your place to ask that question yet, my boy. The answer will come when you are ready to face the truth, and only then." the vision of the two females in the cell appeared before Mark's eyes again, clearer, and with no pain whatsoever. "These two... they're family. To Elsa... to you... To us. The girl you will come to know soon enough... the woman... well I think you know who she is. Picture her with her hair up in a proper Queenly bun. Who does she look like?"
Mark was silent, but nodded, and the man seemed to notice. "You know her to be Elsa's Mother. Go, tell her that she lives. But, say bnothing/b of me; bshe/b has not awoken yet. Not enough, anyway."
Suddenly Mark turned and the man was gone. "I will... thank you."
Mark's eyes opened; it was almost time for dinner now. Mark put on his Jacket and left for the palace; it was rude to keep a lady waiting, especially when she'd not seen him all day.
Arendelle
Wolfe District
Exactly one hour later
With Mark not in his armor as everyone recently saw him at the party the last three days. It was odd for the man, hood even up, not to get recognised as a Mentor level assassin who worked beside Elsa on a daily basis. But this was different, without his armor or sword, or even hisd gauntlet on at the time, nobody recognised him or really gave him much notice if that.
And this was a good thing as Mark went through Arendelle to get back to the castle to see Elsa aboujt something important, two people, well, a woman, clearly an Assassin wrapped in thick scarves, and a... icy snakelike creature were one street over from where Mark was moving through a trhick crowd of people. The icy creature seemed indifferent to the fact that the snow was falling through its body, or rather her, bony ice body. While snowflakes collected on the young Assassin's head
Taking a gander at the massive manor Tiri made a weird noise. Something akin to a whistle "So this is where you grew up huh ?" It had been seven months really since the disitrict reopened. But it was the end of the week when it was going to be offically renamed to Wolfe from Whitehall. The two entered the massive manor grounds through a back way, The ice creature meandering through stuff and stacks fo wood and rock taking it all in "It must have been nice, all those people, servants, family, any extended family ?" Tiri was actually curious exactly of what happened. But she knew better then to pry into things.
Marion said nothing as they came upon Wolfe manor; and instead looked upon it in awe. Mark had done a magnificent job with restoring it; it looked even better than she remembered it to look. The Windows were all replaced, the scorch marks removed and painted over with fresh white paint. The whole building seemed to glow; a beacon of hope for the people of Arendelle. For the Wolfe Clan.
For Mark's own sanity.
She knew that Mark was in an unstable state of mind; she could feel it in her heart earlier that day. Thankfully that feeling was gone, and she smiled for that as she looked upon the manor. "It was, from what I could remember." She finally answered Tiri. "Extended family? Yes...our Mother's family was brought in, granted our title as Nobles and the Queen's Guard." Marion looked over the various hard-wood floors that were set out upon the table she stood next to. Mark wasn't kidding when he said that it was the last thing he had yet to choose to put into the manor and make it complete.
"Let's see what's inside." She said calmly. There were various statues of former Wolfe Clansmen and Women who had done exceptional deeds, though the largest was in the main courtyard at the main entrance to the manor, and that was Second Wolfe, the first of the clan; who was there to see Arendelle's founding, and who set the laws that the Wofle Clan lived by up until their quite sudden decline; forcing Arendelle's royal family to draw its royal guard from their best soldiers.
Of course...Elsa knows how well that turned out; did when Matthew returned to her.
The serpentine creature gazed up at the massive recently cleaned up and repaired statue of Second Wolfe. The massive statue was in the center of the main front courtyard. looking up at it Tiri couldn't help but feel... humbled. In a way, The gaze of the statue was... both one of professional air and... oddly, protective love, yet to Tiri it was humbling to see such a stern yet kind and loving gaze set in stone. Tiri gazed at the huge statue of Second, asking softly, almost scared to raise her voice, "He... feels oddly familar, who was he ?" Tiri knew things, but not many. In fact she found herself wondering if someone she once called "papa" was around still, she doubted it
Turning from the statue Tiri came to the wood flooring laid on a table, all sorts of different shades and some were polished others just dusted or wet with water. Looking at her reflection in the wood Tiri gave off a odd chortle like sound. "I wonder if Mark would like Ice for a wood floor ?" Or was that glass floor ? Nevermind, seeing the sudden mean look from Marion concerning icing the wood Tiri tried to smile, but it wasn't easy for a ice serpent to do such a thing so she made a noise akin to a sigh and said "OK no ice, but still tile could be good, maybe ?" At the mention of seeing inside the massive house however made her smile, the icewraith nodded. "Yes, lets."
Maybe there was something that could help them along ? Maybe try and figure out just why the Wolfe family had been attacked in the first place ? So they stepped into the main front hall. Tiri gave off a low whistle "Wow... polished marble, beautiful light maple walls... "The Icewraith did a full three sixty and when she returning to facing forwards towards what might have been the three floor living room she saw Marion staring at a painting that was on a easel "Marion ? Is something wrong ?" Tiri floated over to Marion's side, seeing the painting herself.
A tear floated down Marion's cheek as she looked at the painting. It was her family. Her father, mother, herself, and Mark. This must have been a year before the attack that wiped out the Clan. Maybe less. Definitely less, that was Mark when he was eight years old, she was only three. Only six months older than Anna was. Mairon's mind went back to having to sit in her Mother's lap for so long without moving; it drove her mad! She remembered that Mark had managed to fall asleep while standing next to his mother, his hand on her shoulder, and their father right behind him, hands on both shoulders. How Mark did that was beyond her; even his head didn't bob when he did it! The painter thankfully had gotten Mark's eyes and colors down before it happened, so it wasn't too much of a problem.
Marion wiped the tear and smiled. She couldn't help but wonder where Mark was going to hang this. Her eyes turned to the statue of Second Wolfe, and she shrugged to finally answer Tiri's question. She didn't know; Mark probably did, but she didn't. She may have always been the smarter of the two, but Mark was always the more learned simply because he couldn't stop reading. In fact, most of the time, even now, if he wasn't at Elsa's side or killing Templars, he was in the library reading, or he was sleeping in his bed.
Marion sighed and looked around, noticing the Wolfe Family crest in the center of the foyer area laid out in Granite that had been polished to a shine. However she did not notice one thing about it: The small slide in the middle with five holes in it, large enough for someone's fingers to fit inside of, even with a gauntlet on. Marion had no clue that under her feet was the first of many Wolfe Vaults hidden throughout Arendelle in plain sight, and only accessable by the head of the Clan: The one who possessed the Gauntlet.
Who was the current head? Mark, by right and by blood. While the royal family of Arendelle was run by the daughters, the Wolfe Clan was almost always run by the Sons; except in the few cases where the father was such that he could not produce a son; only daughters. In which case the gauntlet went to the first born, as usual.
Tiri reformed herself then to her human form, a dark silver hood covered her head and face in silvery shadows, in the case one thought her Elsa, which was possible, in London Tiri wore dozens of colors at once when in public, like a walking tyedyed golf outfit really. Something someone could see from Mars or even Pluto, if they went that far. Shje pointed at the painting or rather, the child in Charity's arms "I remember you being that small when your mother came to me in London." She said thoughtfully. this painting was over twenty years old! And in perfect condition. Tiri then pointed to the man in the picture, the man whose hands where on Marks shoulders. "Your father I assume ?" He looked older, more careworn yet also carefree and a family man for sure.
She then took a close look at the bottom left corner of the painting, for the painters mark, it was standard, and since this painting still had some of its origfihnal frame missing or being cleaned up on the nearby table, the painters mark wasn't covered. She spied a scarily familar name and her breath caught in her throat. "Impossible! If he's still alive, he'd... well, he wouldn't look great, if that. But if he's still alive... I wonder where he is" She mumbled in a mix of icy cracking and very heavy Norse
The Painters name, was Jarius
Tiri turned from the painting as Marion knelt by the crest on the floor, Tiri for a time had admired her reflection in the floor, pretty silver on the polished granite tile. "What is it ? Did you find something ?" Tiri stepped around the main hall, taking in everything. asking aloud and clearly then, "Why attack this place ? Why whipe out your family ? What would the attackers have wanted ?" She came then and stood next to Marion, kneeling and taking a peek at the marks in the floor. Oddly clean too, placing her hand over the marks "Five marks, a hand hold maybe ?" She put her fingers against the mark, but alas, her hand was oddly too small ? Wait no, her fingers were too thin, the holes compared to her fingers were much too large. "Ok, not a hand hold... perhaps something else ?"
"Something else." came a voice as Marion was about to answer. The sound of a door closing behind them gave away the man's location as he entered the room. "What business do you have in my home, Assassins?" he asked. iHis/i home?
Marion turned and saw her brother wearing only his coat, his hood down. He had a stern expression to his face, and his eyes blazed Bronze as he analysed them with his Eagle Vision. Ulnaus sat perched on the statue of one of their ancesters outside, preening as he sat upon the shoulder of the statue. Marion stood and gave her brother a bow. "Master Wolfe, we were sent to report to you by the Mistress running the Courtesan headquarters."
"If she wants to use my home as a base of operations she can forget it." Mark's voice was stern and final on this point; he'd not have his Family's sacred grounds be...desecrated by such acts, even if it did benefit the efforts of the Assassin order. Hell, he'd even challenge the authority of the Assassin Grand Master if it came to it. Knowing him he'd make one hell of a fuss.
"Of course not!" Marion bluffed. "We were sent here..." She grasped for words, and secretly hoped that Tiri would take over the sentence while Mark drew closer witch each slow, methodical step, his expression only getting more stern.
"... To report to you that the Talos district has been liberated. The Courtesan zone is now under complete Assassin control and further repairs to the building are still ongoing" Gotta make a save quick! Tiri thought as she spoke, hope he believes it too... oh wait, ah broken ice he's taking us in with his Eagle Vision... nice bird, nice bird It was not every day an assassin was dressed in nothing but silver. Her own magic could mask her pretty well. But there was something... off about Mark, and it was not his mood, but something... else... something... oddly well she couldn't put her foot on it, or her finger, just yet, it just felt... oddly familar. Her own eyes blazed a bright silver under her hood in the silver shadows on her face as she took in Mark.
He did not look happy, but, the good news was that Tiri was perfectly fine in the Talos District. Wolfe District was not going to be a courtesan district. Ever.
"We were also sent to report to you for further orders concerning the Manor grounds" OK it was more like in proper translation of "We were looking for you and got distracted by how beautiful this downtrodden place had become and wanted to explore further and also Georgina wants you" but instead of saying it that way she however said "And Den Master Georgina wanted to inform you that Elsa wishes to see you as soon as you are able. But Elsa also presses the insistence that you need not hurry unless she sends one of the Royal Guard or Snowfeather to find you"
Maybe he'd let them explore a bit more ? After all, the tales of the place she had heard from Charity and Marion while in London made her want to see it all for herself, after all, in her two very brief visits to Arendelle she had only been outside the front gates of the place. And before that she was briefly with Elsa's mother and father on that ill fated trip. yet something once again felt off, as if Mark had something important, no... not important, iurgent/i to tell Elsa.
Mark huffed; he saw something off about Tiri; something magical that was hiding something about her from him. He was tempted to peer closer when he closed his eyes and turned, a hand going to his head in pain. He sighed and turned at the news of the Talos District. "Very good. I would also reccommend you make some sort of...appointment to get into the Wolfe Manor. It isn't done, and you ...may not like some of the things you find here." he said. Some rooms were still locked and hadn't been opened; and undoubtedly contained skeletal remains of fallen Wolfe Clansmen.
Mark sighed and blinked a few times as he crossed his arms over his chest as he moved to the center of the seal, covering the five holes with his foot as he turned to the two. "I suggest you report back to your respective dens. When the Manor is finished, I will open it to the general public, until then, only those with express permission from either myself or Elsa is allowed on the grounds." he glanced to the painting. That's exactly what he wanted to see before reporting to Elsa. The face of his mother. It would calm him enough to be able to face Elsa with what he needed to tell her.
Walking over to the painting he lightly reached out and touched it, tracing his and Marion's mother's face with his fingers; his body language seemed to relax. "Now then, move along; and try not to touch anything on your way out." He said absently. He would linger at the painting even after they left; standing there for a good five minutes.
Marion sighed once outside, giving Ulnaus a side-long glance as the bird flew over their heads and pounced a rat in the bushes beside the cobble-stone pathways. They once more came upon the statue of Second Wolfe; the fountain that surrounded his body was not active, and was devoid of water. However a bronze plaque was upon a small pedastal that read "Second Wolfe; founder of the clan, first bodyguard of Arendelle's royal family. Co-founder of Arendelle." in black lettering.
"Here's your answer as to who he is..." Marion said idly to Tiri before moving back around to get another glance at the statue's face; it was so life-like. If Marion didn' t know better, she could swear that the man would start speaking to her.
Tiri stepped to the plaque and read it aloud "co-founder of Arendelle" She tried to think of the times long ago, but it didn't do much good, after all she was what, twenty something ? Maybe older ? She saw the name that had been also written on the plaque, "Errected by Flowerfist the Fair in memory of her beloved friend." She read aloud, turning to Marion, who now outside, Diana, she said thoughtfully "Flowerfist the Fair was the First Queen of Arendelle right ?" It made sense, because when Arendelle was first built, the boundary of the kingdoms Eastern Edge was the back wall of the Wolfe District itself!
Finally she said what was possibly on both their minds "Appointment ? To go into your own home ? Is your brother drunk ? Or is he worried about somethying we might see that we shouldn't ?" She said nothing of what she felt from Mark, "it felt... off really, off, and... well... familar. I'm not sure why either, it just felt weird." She explained then what she felt Mark trying to decern, he was really staring at her, at them both, well mostly here, it was not every day one dressed in silver, in a design ereily similar to Elsa herself, showed up in ones own home. "I had to use some of my natural magic to keep him from seeing through my disguise, I dont know if he saw my true form or not" It might have explained the headache he seemed to have.
But...
"Why was he so focused on the painting of you two and your Mother ?" Tiri was also tempted to ask out of the blue "whats a mother ?" but she kept her mouth shut
Marion shrugged at Tiri's question as to why Mark was so focused on the painting, specifically their mother. "No clue. He probably misses her; I don't know what he'd give to see her again." She said. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Charity was right under Mark's nose at the Courtesan headquarters, but seeing as how Mark seemingly had a distaste for the Courtesans and their work, he would likely not find out on his own.
Marion then sighed. "Come on, let's go back." she said calmly as she headed to the gates, then towards Talos District.
Tiri nodded, it was time for them to go back to Charity. But at least Marion got to see her home after twenty three or so years! The two darted off into the crowded streets of Arendelle, returning to the place Tiri called home, for now.